ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[jamincan]

Do they have different contractors doing the rebar throughout the project? Because if it is indeed a grounding issue, is that not the exact issue they had with the stations as well? Surely they'd learn their lesson the first time they had to tear up the concrete and redo the rebar.

[Canard]

From what I was told it was a design issue, not a contractor/installation issue. The design was revised (changed/fixed) after the pour had already started.

[nms]

I'd like to know which businesses so I would know which ones not to patronise in the future.

Businesses affected by LRT construction turning to legal arena

http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/mobile/busin...-1.3180723

The sad thing is that businesses such a Frenzi and Knar Jewelers lasted for most of the construction, and right about now when lots of pedestrian traffic is about to come, they finally closed. I expect this christmas season to be the best ever for Uptown businesses. The place is really inviting with its new configuration.

It will be interesting to see what issues are cited. Lawyers get involved when something doesn't go according to plan (see Metrolinx vs Bombardier vs Region etc; also see "just exactly whose property are we expropriating?). There could also be physical damages that need to be rectified or other promises that were made and then broken for whatever reason. Just saying, "It's a complicated project that will make the world a better place, deal with it", isn't the right answer.

As for the increase in pedestrian traffic and sales, that will likely be offset by the increasing property values and commercial rent. Those shop owners that remain will hopefully be making the same net profit as before once the increased costs have been deducted.

[JoeKW]

Looks like the new design is correct:
https://twitter.com/rideIONrt/status/804733540315316224

[timc]

I personally think that both options look fine. Adding a blue band across the front doesn't improve the appearance as far as I'm concerned.

[Pheidippides]

They are installing some temporary, green, construction fencing to the outsides of the Weber overpass near the OMSF today. I guess they don't want anybody getting silly ideas about messing with the messenger wire and other silly ideas. It is actually pretty amazing how close the wiring looks to the bottom of the overpass from the top of that overpass. I wonder what the permanent solution is going to be.

[Markster]

They are installing some temporary, green, construction fencing to the outsides of the Weber overpass near the OMSF today. I guess they don't want anybody getting silly ideas about messing with the messenger wire and other silly ideas. It is actually pretty amazing how close the wiring looks to the bottom of the overpass from the top of that overpass. I wonder what the permanent solution is going to be.

According to drum118, they'll need to install permanent fencing on the overpass. Exactly as you surmuse, a requirement for protecting the overhead from people on the bridge, and vice-versa.

[Canard]

That fencing has been there for months actually.

#Jealous:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My parents were in Ottawa today and lucked out, and got to see the first <a href="https://twitter.com/Alstom">@Alstom</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CITADIS?src=hash">#CITADIS</a> Spirit LRV for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OttLRT?src=hash">#OttLRT</a> up close. <a href="https://t.co/RM2Wl0BGPm">pic.twitter.com/RM2Wl0BGPm</a></p>&mdash; iain (@Canardiain) <a href="https://twitter.com/Canardiain/status/804777977020055553">December 2, 2016</a></blockquote>

[timc]

Hasn't there has already been temporary construction fencing there for months?

I assume it will be replaced when that section of Weber is reconstructed. But that project is still in the planning stages. Construction work is tentatively planned to start in 2019.

[KevinT]

Looks like the new design is correct:
https://twitter.com/rideIONrt/status/804733540315316224

Appreciate the crosscheck!  Was hoping someone would share tomh's mockup with them on Twitter (I don't use it myself so couldn't).

[Canard]

Very unfortunate.  I'm a little miffed that a lot of these design decisions weren't opened up.  I mean, we had consultations for every single other piece of minutia about the project... and then like the biggest one (the trains), they just leave to Regional Staff to make all the big calls (interior and exterior colours, tones, alerts, voices, etc.).  Really would have appreciated being given the opportunity to provide some feedback. The part that excites me most when I visit a new city about their transit system is what it looks like, feels like, sounds like. I sat on platforms in Japan for cumulative hours just watching and listening (and smiling).

The "new design" is just such a let down to me.  Like they went 90% of the way and then just gave up.  It just looks so wrong.

[Section ThirtyOne]

In lieu of the permanent trees, it appears that a bunch of christmas trees have been installed along King between Willis and William. Adds a bit of life to the concrete and asphalt, nice touch by whomever is responsible.

[Canard]

We were trying to figure out yesterday if those were permanent or temporary! I thought it'd be awfully Canadian to keep them as conifers.

[KevinL]

As good as they'd look, conifers make terrible street trees - no canopy.

[razzie13]

New tracks connecting the embedded tracks under Wilson Avenue and the tracks following the hydro corridor were going in this afternoon. The whole area was a hive of activity today.